Business, international

Dealmakers matter

Article Abstract:

The thriving UK acquisition and merger market has led to a shortage of well qualified corporate financiers. But a study found corporate finance directors' wages had fallen by 12%, in 1997, to around 190,397 pounds sterling. Appointees for corporate finance positions may undergo several interviews, over a 12 month period, before being accepted. Investment banks may use head-hunters to find the specialist staff they require. Some banks offer new recruits bonuses, such as stock options or deferred payments, whilst others link the success of the business to a incentive reward scheme.

Schroders surges ahead

Article Abstract:

Schroders was the leading financial adviser on UK public takeovers in the first half of 1997 in terms of value of transactions, followed by NM Rothschild and Goldman Sachs. The value of the nine bids handled by Schroders was 4,647 million pounds sterling, with the four bids handled by NM Rothschild being worth 2,986 million pounds sterling and the two bids handled by Goldman Sachs worth 2,762 million pounds sterling. There was a high level of merger and acquisition activity in the period, with the general election not serving to deter potential bidders.